Water gun having pump with internal passageway

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for discharging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage; a discharge port; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and an actuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the discharge port. Preferably, the discharge device is in the form of a toy water gun having one or two discharge ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is entitled to priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/212,118, filed Jun. 16,2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for discharging fluidunder pressure. More particularly, the present invention relates to anair-pressurized toy water gun with an integral manually-operated pumpproviding an internal passageway for pressurized water that isselectively discharged from the gun.

[0003] Most traditional forms of toy water guns are pressurized by amanually operated pump. Such pump-action water guns commonly have ageneral gun-like-shape housing within which the pump is embodied.However, prior art water guns do not provide a passageway internal tothe pump through which pressurized water may pass before beingselectively discharged from the gun. Consequently, the prior art waterguns require relatively large, cumbersome gun-like-shape housings toaccommodate the separate structures required for a pump and a dischargepassageway.

[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,437, issued to D'Andrade et al.,and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a pinchtrigger pump water gun which is operated by selectively releasing waterfrom a water reservoir that is pressurized with air. A manually operatedair pump incorporated into the device pressurizes the reservoir. Thewater gun has a general gun-like-shape housing having an extendingbarrel, pinch trigger and handle. Although the air pump is embodiedwithin the gun-like-shaped housing, the pump is positioned below thebarrel. A pump rod attaches the pump piston to a slider handle thattravels along and is guided by the barrel. A pinchable outlet tubewithin the barrel provides a water passageway from the reservoir to thewater gun discharge nozzle. In operation, a user holds the slider handlewith one hand and the gun handle with the other. The slider handle isthen moved back and forth along the length of the barrel to pressurizethe reservoir. Once the reservoir is pressurized, a force applied to thetrigger allows water to pass through the outlet tubing and be dischargedthrough the nozzle.

[0005] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,819, issued to Johnson et al.,also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses apinch trigger pump water gun. In the Johnson, et al. disclosure, thewater gun is a double tank design that uses a manual water pump to drawambient water from one tank and pump the water into a second tank whereit is pressurized against an air cushion. Although the pump is embodiedwithin a general gun-like-shape housing, the pump is positioned abovethe barrel. A pump rod attaches the pump piston to a slider handle thattravels along and is guided by the barrel. The water passageway from thesecond tank to the discharge nozzle is external to the pump and includesa flexible exit tube within the barrel and a pump connection tube.

[0006] Yet another pump water gun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,799,827, issued to D'Andrade, also assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. This disclosure is directed to an expandable bladderwater gun that relies upon manual pumping to fill a bladder with waterthat will be discharged at a subsequent time by the pressure created bythe elastic expansion of the bladder. The pump with the bladder adjacentthereto is embodied in a general gun-like-shape housing. The pump isconnected to a tank and by a “y” tube further connected to the bladderand a connecting tube terminating at a bladder release valve.Accordingly, the water passageway from the bladder to the release valveis external to the pump.

[0007] The present invention overcomes the limitations of the inventionsof the above-discussed patents by providing a water gun having a pumpassembly featuring a passageway in fluid communication with apressurizable tank and a discharge port. The availability of such a pumpassembly configuration gives designers wide latitude in selecting thegun-like-shapes for water guns. Compact designs heretofore unachievablecan be realized. Reduced weight and increased structural integrity alsocan be realized. The complexity and number of parts can be reduced withconcomitant simplification in manufacture and assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a device fordischarging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port forreceiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tankfor fluid storage; a discharge port; a pump assembly having a firstpassageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank anda second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and thedischarge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluidin the tank; and an actuator associated with the discharge port to allowpressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the dischargeport.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to a device fordischarging a fluid under pressure comprising: an intake port forreceiving fluid from a source of receiving fluid; a pressurizable tankfor fluid storage, wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receivingan incompressible fluid; a first discharge port and a second dischargeport; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communicationwith the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluidcommunication with the tank and the first and second discharge ports,the pump assembly being operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank;and a first actuator associated with the first discharge port to allowpressurized fluid to be discharged selectively through the firstdischarge port and a second actuator associated with the seconddischarge port to allow pressurized fluid to be discharged selectivelythrough the second discharge port.

[0010] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a toy water gunfor discharging water under pressure comprising: an intake port forreceiving air; a pressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having asealable opening for receiving water; a discharge port; a pump assemblyhaving a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluid communicationwith the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluidcommunication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assemblybeing operable to pressurize water in the tank, wherein thereciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube andan inner tube which are interconnected at one end to form an annularpumping chamber and an annular piston having a member for reciprocatingmovement within the annular pumping chamber, the piston having anannular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ringhaving slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the innertube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with aninner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the pistonwithin respective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member forreciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between theinner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connectedto the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extensionof the second passageway; a manifold through which the first and secondpassageways pass, the manifold having a first one-way valve forpermitting air to pass into the first passageway, a second one-way valvefor permitting air to pass from the first passageway into the tank and athird one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber fromexceeding a predetermined value; an actuator associated with thedischarge port to allow pressurized water to be discharged selectivelythrough the discharge port, the actuator comprising a trigger assemblylinked to a discharge valve in fluid communication with the dischargeport; separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housingbeing attached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rearhousing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly,wherein the actuator and discharge port are associated with the fronthousing; and a releasable retaining mechanism having a first memberassociated with the front housing and a second member associated therear housing, wherein the first and second members are associated witheach other such that in a first position, the first and second membersare separated to permit reciprocation of the piston in the tubularassembly, and in a second position, the first and second members areinterlocked to prevent reciprocation of the piston in the tubularassembly.

[0011] Still another aspect of the invention relates to a toy water gunfor discharging water under pressure comprising: an intake port forreceiving air; a pressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having asealable opening for receiving water; a first discharge port and asecond discharge port; a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, afirst passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and thetank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank andthe first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operableto pressurize water in the tank, wherein the reciprocating pumpcomprises a tubular assembly having an outer tube and an inner tubewhich are interconnected at one end to form an annular pumping chamberand an annular piston having a member for reciprocating movement withinthe annular pumping chamber, the piston having an annular sealcomprising at least two compliant rings, at least one ring havingslidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of the inner tube andat least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with an innerwall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on the piston withinrespective circumferential grooves in the piston, the member forreciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposed between theinner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular member being connectedto the piston, a second end of the tubular member forming an extensionof the second passageway; a manifold through which the first and secondpassageways pass, the manifold having a first one-way valve forpermitting air to pass into the first passageway, a second one-way valvefor permitting air to pass from the first passageway into the tank and athird one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber fromexceeding a predetermined value; a first actuator associated with thefirst discharge port to allow pressurized water to be dischargedselectively through the first discharge port, the first actuatorcomprising a first trigger assembly linked to a first discharge valve influid communication with the first discharge port; a second actuatorassociated with the second discharge port to allow pressurized water tobe discharged selectively through the second discharge port, the secondactuator comprising a second trigger assembly linked to a seconddischarge valve in fluid communication with the second discharge port;separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the front housing beingattached to the member for reciprocating movement and the rear housingbeing attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly, wherein thefirst actuator and the first discharge port are associated with thefront housing and the second actuator and the second discharge port areassociated with the rear housing; and a releasable retaining mechanismhaving a first member associated with the front housing and a secondmember associated with the rear housing, wherein the first and secondmembers are associated with each other such that in a first position,the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation ofthe piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the firstand second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of thepiston in the tubular assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments, which are presently preferred. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of theinvention, showing a toy water gun with two discharge ports;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portionof the water gun of FIG. 1, showing details of a manifold, pick-up tube,and a portion of the second actuator;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of a portionof the water gun taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing details ofthe annular piston;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of thewater gun taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing details of themanifold and valves;

[0018]FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portionof the water gun of FIG. 3, showing details of the front housing, thefirst actuator and the releasable retaining mechanism;

[0019]FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portionof the water gun along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing details of thereleasable retaining mechanism;

[0020]FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portionof the water gun along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing details of thereleasable retaining mechanism; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a portion ofanother preferred embodiment of the invention, showing details of themanifold of a toy water gun having one discharge port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elementsthroughout the several views. Referring to the drawings in detail, thereis shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 a fluid discharge device according to thepresent invention in the form of a first preferred embodiment of a toywater gun, generally designated 1 and hereinafter referred to as the“water gun” 1, with two discharge ports. While the preferred embodimentsof the invention are preferably water guns pressurized with air, thoseskilled in the art will recognize from the present disclosure that theinvention is not restricted to embodiments such as the water gun 1.Broadly, the invention pertains to numerous devices that discharge afluid under pressure, such as devices for dispensing hair spray,perfume, window cleaner, insecticide, and countless other products thatare dispensed in a fluid stream. Accordingly, although the preferredembodiments will be described as water guns, there is no intention tolimit the present invention from use with other fluids. With referenceto FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the water gun 1 includes an intake port 16, apressurizable tank 40 for water storage, first and second dischargeports 18, 20, a pump assembly 70, a manifold 50, first and secondactuators 121, 141, separable, reciprocable front and rear housings 2,6, and a releasable retaining mechanism 10. In the first preferredembodiment, the pressurizable tank 40 for storage of fluid, andpreferably water, is mounted to the rear housing 6 of the water gun.However, the only requirement is that the pressurizable tank be in fluidcommunication with a first passageway 22 to a fluid pump assembly 70 andwith a passageway 24 leading to at least one discharge port, such asdischarge ports 18 and 20. While it is preferred that the tank 40 bephysically connected to the rear housing 6 of the water gun, the tank 40may be a separate pressurizable tank or storage reservoir that is notphysically connected to the housing 6. For example, the pressurizablestorage tank may be a backpack or other separate component that is influid communication with the two passageways 22 and 24 by flexibletubing, if desired. In the first preferred embodiment of the toy watergun shown in FIGS. 1-8, the pressurizable water storage tank isgenerally in the shape of an ellipsoid and preferably is molded from aninelastic polymeric material. Support rings 41 can be molded orotherwise formed with or attached to the tank 40 to support clips for acarrying strap, not shown. However, those skilled in the art wouldrecognize, in view of the present disclosure, that the tank may have anydesired shape and may be made from any suitable material, including anelastic material, if desired. The tank 40 has a sealable opening, notshown, generally positioned near the top of the tank 40 to allow thetank 40 to be filled partially with water. A removable fill cap 42 isaffixed, preferably via a threaded connection, to the sealable opening.Additionally, the tank 40 has a tubular male connecting protrusion 43generally positioned near the bottom of the tank 40 to affix the tank 40to the manifold 50, preferably via compressive insertion into thetubular female tank receiving member 52 to a penetration depth limitedby a stop 46. Separation of the tubular protrusion 43 from the manifold50 is prevented by ribs, not shown, molded into the rear housing 6 abovethe stop 46 and below the tank receiving member 52. The tubularprotrusion 43 has a ring seal 45 retained in a detent 44 to assure thatthe integrity of the connection is not breached when the tank 40 ispressurized. The tubular protrusion 43 has a sufficiently largecross-sectional area to allow a pick-up tube 30 having a filter screen32 affixed thereto to be inserted in the tank 40.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, in the first preferred embodiment, thepump assembly 70 comprises a reciprocating pump assembly 71, a firstpassageway 22 and a second passageway 24, and as shown in detail in FIG.4, the reciprocating pump assembly 71 comprises a tubular assembly 72,and an annular piston assembly 86. The tubular assembly 72 has an outertube 73 and an inner tube 78. The outer tube 73 and inner tube 78 areinterconnected via a connecting wall 56 of the manifold 50 to form anannular pumping chamber 84.

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 4, the annular piston assembly 86 has apiston 87, a member for reciprocating movement 94 disposed between theouter and inner tubes 73, 78, and an annular seal 102 preferably formedby compliant rings 104 a, b, c and d, such as natural or syntheticrubber 0-rings, retained in respective grooves 106 a, b, c and d in thepiston 87. The preferred embodiment of the member for reciprocatingmovement 94 is a tubular member 96 which is located in the annularpumping chamber 84. Alternative structures for the member forreciprocating movement 94 include at least two, and preferably at leastthree rods that could replace the tubular member 96. For ease ofmanufacture, positive connections and greatest strength, a tubularmember 96 is preferred.

[0025] In the first preferred embodiment the piston 87 has three parts:an annular piston head 88, an annular piston body 90 and an annularpiston base 92. The piston base 92 is affixed to the first end 98 of themember for reciprocating movement 94 and has a circumferential groove106 a for retaining a compliant ring 104 a having slidable frictionalengagement with the inner wall 74 of the outer tube 73. The piston body90 is affixed to the piston base 92 to form two additionalcircumferential grooves 106 b, 106 c. The groove 106 b retains a secondcompliant ring 104 b in slidable frictional engagement with the outerwall 80 of the inner tube 78 and the groove 106 c retains a thirdcompliant ring 104 c in slidable frictional engagement with the innerwall 74 of the outer tube 73. The piston head 88 is affixed to thepiston body 90 to form another circumferential groove 106 d forretaining a fourth compliant ring 104 d in slidable frictionalengagement with the outer wall 80 of the inner tube 78. While only oneof compliant rings 104 a and 104 c may be necessary and one of compliantrings 104 b and 104 d may be necessary, both are preferred to assuresmooth, leak-free movement of the piston 87 in the pumping chamber 84.

[0026] While various components have been referred to as being“annular,” as used herein, annular means having a ring-shaped crosssection, but the shape of the cross section could be a shape other thana circle, although a circular cross-sectional shape is preferred. Theannular cross sectional shape could be any polygonal shape if desired.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first passageway 22 is in fluidcommunication with the pressurizable tank 40 and the intake port 16,which is preferably an air intake port, although the intake port 16could be connected to a source of liquid or other incompressible fluid,preferably water. For ease of description, the first preferredembodiment will be described as including an air intake port for intakeport 16. The first passageway 22 extends from the air intake port 16through a first one-way valve 57 of the manifold 50 to the annularpumping chamber 84 and from the pumping chamber 84 through the secondone-way valve 58 of the manifold 50 to the pressurizable tank 40. Thoseskilled in the art would recognize from the present disclosure that thefluid communication provided by the first passageway is not restrictedto embodiments having the manifold 50.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the second passageway 24 is influid communication with the pressurizable tank 40 and the first andsecond discharge ports 18, 20. The second passageway 24 extends from thepressurizable tank 40 through the pick-up tube 30 to the inner tube 78of the tubular assembly 72 of the reciprocating pump 71 via the manifold50, and further extends through a second end 100 of the member forreciprocating movement 94, a first connecting tube 26 and a firstdischarge valve 123 to the first discharge port 18. Additionally, in thefirst preferred embodiment, the second passageway 24 extends from themanifold 50 via a second connecting tube 28 and a second discharge valve143 to the second discharge port 20. Those skilled in the art wouldrecognize from the present disclosure that the fluid communicationprovided by the second passageway is not restricted to embodimentshaving a pick-up tube 30, a manifold 50, first and second connectingtubes 26, 28 or first and second discharge valves 123, 143.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a vertical cross-sectional viewof a portion of the water gun taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, in apreferred embodiment, the first and second passageways pass through amanifold 50. The manifold 50 has a tubular female pick-up tube receivingmember 51 to which the pick-up tube 30 is preferably affixed, such asadhesively, to the receiving member 51. The manifold 50 also has atubular female tank receiving member 52 to which the pressurizable tank40 is affixed, preferably by compressively inserting thereinto thetubular male connecting protrusion 43. The manifold 50 further includesa tubular female inner tube receiving member 53 to which the inner tube78 of the pump assembly 70 is affixed, preferably by a suitableadhesive, a tubular female outer tube receiving member 54 to which theouter tube 73 of the pump assembly 70 is affixed, preferably also by asuitable adhesive, and a tubular female connecting tube receiving member55 to which the second connecting tube 28 is affixed, again preferablyby a suitable adhesive. Additionally, the manifold 50 has a firstone-way valve, rubber diaphragm valve 57, biased in a normally closedposition for permitting air or other fluid to pass into the firstpassageway 22, a second one-way spring valve 58 biased in a normallyclosed position for permitting air to pass from the first passageway 22into the pressurizable tank 40, and a third one-way, pressure reliefspring valve 59 biased to a normally closed position, for preventing thepressure in the pumping chamber 84 from exceeding a predeterminedpressure.

[0030] As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the first actuator 121 comprises afirst discharge valve 123 and a first trigger assembly 127. The firstdischarge valve 123 is located in the front housing 2 at the front ofthe water gun 1 and is connected to the pressurizable tank 40 via thesecond passageway 24 which includes a first connecting tube 26 extendingbetween the first discharge valve 123 and the tube 96 forming the memberfor reciprocating movement 94. The first discharge valve 123 is similarto the release valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,827, issued Sep.1, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully setforth. A first discharge valve stem 125 extends from the first dischargevalve 123 for opening the first discharge valve 123 to discharge wateror any other desired fluid from the first discharge port 18 which islocated at the front of the front housing 2 and in communication withthe first discharge valve 123. The first discharge valve 123 is actuatedby a first trigger assembly 127 which is attached to the front housing 2adjacent to the first handle 4. The first trigger assembly 127 has afirst trigger 129 that is biased to a first position via a first triggerspring 131 and is connected by a first trigger member 133 to a firstslidable tube 135 which is connected by a first trigger link 137 to thefirst discharge valve stem 125. The first slidable tube 135 surroundsthe first connecting tube 26 and has first trigger rollers 139 a and 139b located at the front and rear of the first slidable tube 135. Thefront rollers 139 a roll on roller support 134 affixed to the fronthousing. The rear rollers 139 b roll on the outer surface 27 of thefirst connecting tube 26. Movement of the first trigger 129 causes thefirst discharge valve stem 125 of the first discharge valve 123 to beretracted, opening the first discharge valve 123 and thereby regulatinga discharge from the pressurizable tank 40 which is ejected from thewater gun 1 as a stream of fluid from the first discharge port 18.However, those skilled in the art would recognize from the presentdisclosure that other types of actuators, such as a pinched-tube valveand trigger, may be used and that the present invention is not limitedto the specific actuator disclosed.

[0031] As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second actuator 141comprises a second discharge valve 143 and a second trigger assembly147. The second discharge valve 143 is located in the rear housing 6 atthe rear of the water gun 1 and is connected to the pressurizable tank40 via the second passageway 24 which includes a second connecting pipe28 extending between the second discharge valve 143 and the manifold 50.The second discharge valve 143 is similar to the release valve disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,827. A second discharge valve stem 145 extendsfrom the second discharge valve 143 for opening the second dischargevalve 143 to discharge water or any other desired fluid from the seconddischarge port 20 which is located at the rear of the rear housing 6 andin communication with the second discharge valve 143. The seconddischarge valve 143 is actuated by a second trigger assembly 147 whichis attached to the rear housing 6 adjacent to the second handle 8. Thesecond trigger assembly 147 has a second trigger 149 that is biased to afirst position via a second trigger spring 151 and is connected by asecond trigger member 153 to a second slidable tube 155 and to a secondtrigger link 157, which in turn is connected by a slidable tube assembly161 to the second discharge valve stem 145. The second slidable tube 155surrounds the outer tube 73 of the pump assembly 70 and has front andrear second trigger rollers 159 a and 159 b that roll on the outer wall76 of the outer tube 73. The slidable tube assembly 161 has a thirdslidable tube 163 which surrounds the second connecting tube 28 and hasopposed front and rear slidable tube assembly rollers 169 a and 169 bthat roll on the outer surface 29 of the second connecting tube 28. Theslidable tube assembly 161 also includes an arm 165 to which the secondtrigger link 157 is attached. The arm 165 has a cam 167 through whichthe second discharge valve stem 145 passes. Movement of the secondtrigger 149 in the forward direction causes the second discharge valvestem 145 of the second discharge valve 143 to be retracted, opening thesecond discharge valve 143 and thereby regulating a discharge from thepressurized tank 40 which is ejected from the water gun as a stream offluid from the second discharge port 20. However, those skilled in theart would recognize from the present disclosure that other types ofactuators, such as a pinched tube valve and trigger, may be used andthat the present invention is not limited to the specific actuatordisclosed.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the front housing 2 and the rearhousing 6 are separable and reciprocable. The front and rear housings 2,6 have first and second handles 4, 8 respectively. The front housing 2is affixed to the member for reciprocating movement 94 of the pumpassembly 70. The first actuator assembly 121 and the first dischargeport 18 are embodied within the front housing 2. The rear housing 6 isaffixed to the outer tube 73 of the pump assembly 70. The secondactuator assembly 141 and the second discharge port 20 are embodiedwithin the rear housing 6. The front and rear housings 2, 6 have areleasable retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 has afirst member 12 associated with the front housing 2 and a second member14 associated with the rear housing 6. Additionally referring to FIGS. 7and 8, in a first position, the first and second members 12, 14 arerotationally separated to permit reciprocation of the piston assembly 86within the tubular assembly 72 of the pump assembly 70. In a secondposition, the first and second members 12, 14 are interlocked to preventreciprocation of the piston assembly 86 in the tubular assembly 72. Ifthe tubular assembly is not in the form of cylindrical tubes, but oftubes of polygonal cross-section, the front handle 4 and front housing 2should be constructed to rotate in a manner to allow disengagement andreengagement of the first and second member 12, 14 of the releasableretaining mechanism 10. Alternatively, a different form of retainingmechanism could be used, such as a latch mechanism, a hook and eyeletmechanism or the like.

[0033] A second preferred embodiment of the invention is a toy water gunhaving only one discharge port. The second preferred embodiment issubstantially similar in features and details to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-8 and discussed above. FIG. 9 is a partial verticalcross-sectional view of the second preferred embodiment showing thedifferences between the first and second embodiments, wherein selectedidentified like elements between the two embodiments are identified byprimed reference numerals. The second embodiment does not include thesecond discharge port 20, the second connecting tube 28 and the secondactuator assembly 141 and associated components. Additionally, themanifold 50 is reconfigured. Referring to FIG. 9, in the secondpreferred embodiment, in lieu of the tubular female connecting tubereceiving member 55 shown in FIG. 3, the manifold 50′ has a pluggingwall 60 which extends from the tubular female tank receiving member 53′to the connecting wall 56′.

[0034] In operation of the first embodiment in FIGS. 1-8, the userinitially charges the water gun 1 with water by removing the filler cap42, partially filling the pressurizable tank 40 with water via thesealable opening and replacing the filler cap 42. The user then releasesthe releasable retaining mechanism 10, pressurizes the tank 40 to adesired pressure with air by operating the pump 70 and secures theretaining mechanism 10.

[0035] To release the retaining mechanism 10, the user grasps with onehand the first handle 4 of the front housing 2 and grasps with the otherhand the second handle 8 of the rear housing 6 and rotates the firsthandle 4 with respect to the second handle 8 through an angulardisplacement sufficient to permit the first and second members 12, 14 ofthe retaining mechanism 10 to disengage. With the handles 4, 6 in thisposition, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7, the user may commencepressurizing the tank 40 by reciprocating the handles 4, 6 with respectto each other.

[0036] As the first handle 4 is moved in a forward direction away fromthe second handle 8, the tubular member 96 for reciprocating movement,disposed between the outer and inner tubes 78, 73, further extends fromthe tubes 78 and 73, moving the annular piston 87 forwardly and therebyincreasing the volume of the annular pumping chamber 84. Air is drawnthrough the intake port 16 into the first passageway 22, through thefirst one-way valve 57 and into the annular pumping chamber 84. Thesecond one-way valve 58 remains in the closed position.

[0037] As the first handle 4 is moved in a rearward direction toward thesecond handle 8, the first one-way valve 57 closes, the volume of thepumping chamber 84 decreases, air in the pumping chamber 84 iscompressed, the second one-way valve 58 opens and pressurization of thetank 40 commences. The user continues the reciprocating motion untileither a desired pressure is reached in the tank 40 or the pressure inthe pumping chamber 84 exceeds the pressure sufficient to open the thirdone-way pressure relief valve 59 at which time further reciprocatingwill not increase the pressure in the tank 40, and the user ceases thereciprocating motion.

[0038] Upon pressurizing the tank 40, the user interlocks the first andsecond members 12, 14 of the retaining mechanism 10 by moving the firsthandle 4 to its rear most position and rotating the first handle 4 withrespect to the second handle 8 in the direction opposite to thedirection of rotation for disengagement through an angular displacementsufficient to permit the first and second members 12, 14 of theretaining mechanism 10 to engage. This engaged position is illustratedby the solid lines of FIG. 7.

[0039] To selectively discharge water from the first discharge port 18,the user squeezes the first trigger 129 with the hand grasping the firsthandle 4. As the first trigger 129 is moved in a rearward direction, thefirst trigger spring 131 compresses and the first trigger member 133,the first slidable tube 135, the first trigger link 137 and the firstdischarge valve stem 125 move in a rearward direction, away from thefirst discharge valve 125, thereby opening the first discharge valve 125and allowing water to flow from the pressurizable tank 40 into thesecond passageway 24, through the pick-up tube 30, the manifold 50, theinner tube 78, the extended portion of the tubular member 96, the firstconnecting tube 26, and the first discharge valve 123 to be ejected fromthe first discharge port 18. As the first trigger assembly 127 movesrearward, first trigger rollers 139 a and 139 b prevent the firstslidable tube 135 as it slides along the first connecting tube 26 frombinding by respectively rolling on the roller support 134 affixed to thefront housing 2 and the outer surface 27 of the first connecting tube26. Upon release of the first trigger 129, the first trigger assembly127 and first discharge valve stem 125 return to their initial positionsand the first discharge valve 123 closes, terminating the ejection ofwater from the first discharge port 18.

[0040] To selectively discharge water from the second discharge port 20,the user squeezes the second trigger 149 with the hand grasping thesecond handle 8. As the second trigger 149 is moved in a forwarddirection, the second trigger spring 151 compresses and the secondtrigger member 153 and the second slidable tube 155 move in a forwarddirection. The front and rear second trigger rollers 159 a, 159 bprevent the second slidable tube 155 from binding as it slides along theouter tube 73 by rolling on the outside wall 76 of the outer tube 73. Asthe second trigger member 153 moves in a forward direction, also movingforward are the second trigger link 157, the arm 165 and the thirdslidable tube 163. The front and rear slidable tube rollers 169 a, 169 bprevent the third slidable tube 163 from binding as it slides along thesecond connecting tube 28 by rolling on the outer wall 29 of the secondconnecting tube 28. As the arm 165 moves forward, the second dischargevalve stem 145 follows cam 167 and accordingly moves forward, openingthe second discharge valve 143 and allowing water to flow from thepressurized tank 40 into the second passageway 24, through the pickuptube 30, the manifold 50, the second connecting tube 28, and the seconddischarge valve 143 to be discharged from the second discharge port 20.Upon release, the second trigger 149, the second trigger assembly 147and the second discharge valve stem 145 return to their initial positionand the second discharge valve 143 closes, terminating the ejection ofwater from the second discharge port 20.

[0041] The operation of the second preferred embodiment, having only onedischarge port and a differently configured manifold 50′, as shown inFIG. 9, is substantially similar to the operation of the first preferredembodiment in FIGS. 1-8, as described above with respect to selectivelydischarging water from the first discharge port 18.

[0042] In another mode of operation of the first embodiment in FIGS.1-8, the user initially charges the water gun 1 with water by connectingthe intake port 16 to a source of water. Similar to the above disclosedmode of operation, reciprocation of the handles 4, 8 with respect toeach other first draws water into the annular pumping chamber 84 andthen pumps the water into the pressurizable tank 40. After the tank 40is partially filled with water, the intake port 16 is disconnected fromthe source of water and exposed to air and the user continuesreciprocation of the handles 4, 8 to pressurize the tank 40 with air.Alternatively, if the tank 40 is made from an elastic material, air neednot be used to pressurize the tank 40. While the intake port 16 still isconnected to the source of water, the user continues pumping water intothe tank 40, thereby storing the water in the tank 40 under pressurecreated by the elastic expansion of the tank 40. When the desiredpressure is reached either by elastic expansion or air pressurization,water may be selectively discharged from the tank in a manner similar tothe aforementioned mode for discharging water.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for discharging a fluid under pressurecomprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source ofreceiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage; a dischargeport; a pump assembly having a first passageway in fluid communicationwith the intake port and the tank and a second passageway in fluidcommunication with the tank and the discharge port, the pump assemblybeing operable to pressurize the fluid in the tank; and an actuatorassociated with the discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to bedischarged selectively through the discharge port.
 2. The device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the tank has a sealable opening forreceiving an incompressible fluid and wherein the fluid being dischargedis the incompressible fluid.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the tank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressiblefluid, and wherein the receiving fluid being received through the intakeport is compressible.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetank is inelastic and has a sealable opening for receiving anincompressible fluid.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetank is elastic.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pumpassembly includes a reciprocating pump.
 7. The device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises: a tubular assemblyhaving an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at oneend to form an annular pumping chamber; and an annular piston assemblyhaving a member for reciprocating movement within the annular pumpingchamber, the piston having an annular seal in slidable frictionalengagement with the outer and inner tubes of the annular pumpingchamber.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tank has asealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid, and wherein thereceiving fluid received through the intake port is compressible.
 9. Thedevice as claimed in claim 8, wherein the seal comprises at least onecompliant ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wallof the inner tube and an inner wall of the outer tube, each ring beingretained on the piston within a circumferential groove in the piston.10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device includes areleasable retainer mechanism for selectively preventing reciprocationof the piston in the tubular assembly.
 11. The device as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the device includes a first one-way valve forpermitting the receiving fluid to pass from the source of the receivingfluid into the first passageway, a second one-way valve for permittingthe receiving fluid to pass from the first passageway into the tank anda third one-way valve for preventing the pressure in the chamber fromexceeding a predetermined value.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11,wherein the first, second and third one-way valves are associated with amanifold through which the first and second passageways pass.
 13. Thedevice as claimed in claim 8, wherein the member for reciprocatingmovement is a tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes,a first end of the tubular member being connected to the piston, asecond end of the tubular member forming an extension of the secondpassageway.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the deviceincludes separable, reciprocable front and rear housings, the fronthousing being attached to the member for reciprocating movement and therear housing being attached to the outer tube of the tubular assembly.15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the actuator anddischarge port are associated with the front housing.
 16. The device asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a trigger assemblylinked to a valve in fluid communication with the discharge port and thesecond passageway.
 17. A device for discharging a fluid under pressurecomprising: an intake port for receiving fluid from a source ofreceiving fluid; a pressurizable tank for fluid storage, wherein thetank has a sealable opening for receiving an incompressible fluid; afirst discharge port and a second discharge port; a pump assembly havinga first passageway in fluid communication with the intake port and thetank and a second passageway in fluid communication with the tank andthe first and second discharge ports, the pump assembly being operableto pressurize the fluid in the tank; and a first actuator associatedwith the first discharge port to allow pressurized fluid to bedischarged selectively through the first discharge port and a secondactuator associated with the second discharge port to allow pressurizedfluid to be discharged selectively through the second discharge port.18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the pump assemblyincludes a reciprocating pump comprising a tubular assembly having anouter tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to forman annular pumping chamber, and an annular piston having a member forreciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the pistonhaving an annular seal in slidable frictional engagement with the outerand inner tubes of the annular pumping chamber.
 19. The device asclaimed in claim 18, further comprising separable, reciprocable frontand rear housings, the front housing being attached to the member forreciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outertube of the tubular assembly, wherein the first actuator and the firstdischarge port are associated with the front housing and the secondactuator and the second discharge port are associated with the rearhousing.
 20. A toy water gun for discharging water under pressurecomprising: an intake port for receiving air; a pressurizable tank forwater storage, the tank having a sealable opening for receiving water; adischarge port; a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a firstpassageway in fluid communication with the intake port and the tank anda second passageway in fluid communication with the tank and thedischarge port, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water inthe tank, wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assemblyhaving an outer tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at oneend to form an annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having amember for reciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber,the piston having an annular seal comprising at least two compliantrings, at least one ring having slidable frictional engagement with anouter wall of the inner tube and at least one ring having slidablefrictional engagement with an inner wall of the outer tube, the ringsbeing retained on the piston within respective circumferential groovesin the piston, the member for reciprocating movement comprising atubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubes, a first endof the tubular member being connected to the piston, a second end of thetubular member forming an extension of the second passageway; a manifoldthrough which the first and second passageways pass, the manifold havinga first one-way valve for permitting air to pass into the firstpassageway, a second one-way valve for permitting air to pass from thefirst passageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventingthe pressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value; anactuator associated with the discharge port to allow pressurized waterto be discharged selectively through the discharge port, the actuatorcomprising a trigger assembly linked to a discharge valve in fluidcommunication with the discharge port; separable, reciprocable front andrear housings, the front housing being attached to the member forreciprocating movement and the rear housing being attached to the outertube of the tubular assembly, wherein the actuator and discharge portare associated with the front housing; and a releasable retainingmechanism having a first member associated with the front housing and asecond member associated the rear housing, wherein the first and secondmembers are associated with each other such that in a first position,the first and second members are separated to permit reciprocation ofthe piston in the tubular assembly, and in a second position, the firstand second members are interlocked to prevent reciprocation of thepiston in the tubular assembly.
 21. A toy water gun for dischargingwater under pressure comprising: an intake port for receiving air; apressurizable tank for water storage, the tank having a sealable openingfor receiving water; a first discharge port and a second discharge port;a pump assembly having a reciprocating pump, a first passageway in fluidcommunication with the intake port and the tank and a second passagewayin fluid communication with the tank and the first and second dischargeports, the pump assembly being operable to pressurize water in the tank,wherein the reciprocating pump comprises a tubular assembly having anouter tube and an inner tube which are interconnected at one end to forman annular pumping chamber and an annular piston having a member forreciprocating movement within the annular pumping chamber, the pistonhaving an annular seal comprising at least two compliant rings, at leastone ring having slidable frictional engagement with an outer wall of theinner tube and at least one ring having slidable frictional engagementwith an inner wall of the outer tube, the rings being retained on thepiston within respective circumferential grooves in the piston, themember for reciprocating movement comprising a tubular member disposedbetween the inner and outer tubes, a first end of the tubular memberbeing connected to the piston, a second end of the tubular memberforming an extension of the second passageway; a manifold through whichthe first and second passageways pass, the manifold having a firstone-way valve for permitting air to pass into the first passageway, asecond one-way valve for permitting air to pass from the firstpassageway into the tank and a third one-way valve for preventing thepressure in the chamber from exceeding a predetermined value; a firstactuator associated with the first discharge port to allow pressurizedwater to be discharged selectively through the first discharge port, thefirst actuator comprising a first trigger assembly linked to a firstdischarge valve in fluid communication with the first discharge port; asecond actuator associated with the second discharge port to allowpressurized water to be discharged selectively through the seconddischarge port, the second actuator comprising a second trigger assemblylinked to a second discharge valve in fluid communication with thesecond discharge port; separable, reciprocable front and rear housings,the front housing being attached to the member for reciprocatingmovement and the rear housing being attached to the outer tube of thetubular assembly, wherein the first actuator and the first dischargeport are associated with the front housing and the second actuator andthe second discharge port are associated with the rear housing; and areleasable retaining mechanism having a first member associated with thefront housing and a second member associated with the rear housing,wherein the first and second members are associated with each other suchthat in a first position, the first and second members are separated topermit reciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly, and in asecond position, the first and second members are interlocked to preventreciprocation of the piston in the tubular assembly.